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On May 11, The Wallis School Partners Program at the The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts announced its receipt of a $20,000 grant from the California Arts Council. 

This annual school program provides a unique opportunity for thousands of students from K-12 schools within Los Angeles County to attend student matinee performances featuring world class artists and performing arts presented on The Wallis’ stages. The Wallis School Partners Program is part of GRoW @ The Wallis, the umbrella for an eclectic mix of education, growth through the arts and outreach programs at The Wallis. 

“The Wallis is extremely grateful for this significant grant from the California Arts Council, which will help us continue to share our exceptional music, dance and theater programs with students from the greater Los Angeles area,” states Rachel Fine, The Wallis’ Executive Director and CEO. “These engaging performances promote an understanding and sharing of culture, enhance awareness of others, build cognitive skills and foster civic engagement, among other crucial benefits. The Wallis School Partners Program reflects our deep commitment to investing in the young people of our community.”

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the California Arts Council is supporting appropriate solutions for grantees. It recognizes that some grant recipients may need to postpone, modify or cancel their planned activities supported by CAC funds, due to state and local public health guidelines. 

“Creativity sits at the very heart of our identity as Californians and as a people,” said Nashormeh Lindo, Chair of the California Arts Council. “The California Arts Council is proud to be able to offer more support through our grant programs, at a time when our communities’ need is perhaps greater than ever before. These grants will support immediate and lasting community impact by investing in arts businesses and cultural workers across the state.” 

The Wallis’ California Arts Council grant was among more than 1,500 awarded to nonprofit organizations and units of government throughout the state for their work in support of the agency’s mission to strengthen arts, culture and creative expression as the tools to cultivate a better California for all. The state’s investment of nearly $30 million marks a more than $5 million increase over the previous fiscal year, and the largest in California Arts Council history.